Parenting Therapists in 91101

Life can be complex. Take a step towards comfort and change! Therapy can help to nurture the healthy growth and development of your life and your relationships. The ultimate goal is to help you to create healthy bonds that bring joy to your life and relationships. I have experience working with children of all ages from infancy to young adulthood. I want to support you in the challenges of parenting. Together we can work to find an approach that fits you and your child.

For 23+ years I've specialized in working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families to help them live with more confidence, connection, and aliveness. I bring extensive experience in therapy, supervision, consulting, and research in the areas of child, teen, & family life, social and emotional development, and building solid and nurturing relationships. I work with clients in a talk therapy approach that is warm, interactive, and active, but that is also flexible in including support for new behaviors, creative expression, and practical help in developing new skills for living.

Navigating through life’s ups, downs, and curveballs can be stressful and confusing. It’s easy to feel even more discouraged and alone when trying to change these situations. I am here to support you through a collaborative process to find hope and direction in the midst of your emotional struggles. I was born in Taiwan, and have lived in the U.S., Hong Kong, and China for extensive periods of time so am fluent in both English and Mandarin. I especially enjoy working with couples, and individuals on communication improvement, acculturation, interracial marriage issues, and parent-child relationship improvement.

Recently the world as we knew it was turned upside down. With the onset of Covid-19 and a "Safer at Home" order as well as school closures, parents are under more stress and pressure than ever. I am currently providing individual therapy and parent coaching via our secure video platform. If you find yourself having difficulty managing your frustration and/or anxiety, or feeling the enormous pressure of home schooling your children while keeping up with the other demands in your life (i.e. work, home responsibilities) do not hesitate to reach out. You do not have to figure this out alone.

I am here to help you achieve positive change towards an extraordinary life. One that is filled with connection, success, happiness, and health. My passion for empowering mothers comes from a deeply personal place. I have navigated the complicated transition into motherhood as an ambitious entrepreneur and often felt the overwhelm and frustration you may be experiencing right now. I see you, busy mama. You know you were made for more. It is possible to rewrite the stories that are holding you back and feel whole again. I would be honored to help you sort through feelings of burnout and step into confidence in all of your roles.

Often, individuals enter therapy feeling overwhelmed by various stressors in their lives. These stressors can manifest in different forms, such as life transitions (work, school, loss, relocation), challenges in relationships, parenting, dealing with a loved one's illness or disability, financial strain, exposure to community violence, housing issues, & more. Many individuals may not initially realize the profound impact these stressors can have on their overall health. Therapy provides a safe & confidential space for self-discovery, reflection, and the development of coping strategies to navigate life's challenges.

Please, call me JJ. Let's find ways to create stability in your relationships. I have completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and specialize in working with couples to rebuild the bridges of communication. I am able to work with infidelity and trauma that may have occurred in relationships. When working with individuals I can help you discover the tools you need to work through life's challenges. I believe there is a way to heal trauma, both past and present, through building a strong trusting therapeutic relationship.

"I'm not enough" - smart enough, attractive enough, successful enough, popular enough, loved enough, or happy enough. Have you ever had these thoughts? Sometimes our stories are full of shame and scarcity. We feel unworthy, but don't understand where these feelings come from, what drives them, and how to let them go. Therapy is a process of uncovering underlying issues and finding practical ways to provoke change. I will walk alongside you in your loneliness, challenge, or fear, and help you safely overcome struggles.

Jessica Richards, MS, MSW, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in providing therapeutic services to young children and families. She is endorsed in CA as an Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. Jessica uses relationship and brain-based modalities for comprehensive treatment. Jessica has been trained in Child-Parent psychotherapy, a relationship and play-based therapy with a strong evidence-based foundation for the treatment of trauma and family stressors. Additionally, Jessica uses the Neurorelational Framework (Lillas, 2009) for an integrated approach. Her specialized Dual-Masters education provides an advanced foundation in applied child development.

Stepfamilies & Blended Families are the fastest growing families in the United States! With your blended family comes many opportunities to grow and learn about each other, but also may come with high-conflict former relationships/divorce(s), co-parenting issues, and other trials. I am here to help with the unique blending that occurs pre-marriage, post-marriage, and certainly when families are not blending so easily. I want your family to not only survive, but thrive!

Are you a parent of a child who is struggling? Are you feeling overwhelmed parenting your teen who is moody, unpredictable, and anxious? Are you searching for connection with your teen who is pushing you away? You may also be juggling taking care of your kids while simultaneously taking care of the needs of your aging parents. Wondering about next steps now that your kids are launched?

Are you having difficulties getting out of the house with your toddler or preschooler as they have a meltdown over putting their shoes on? Have you ever felt the eyes of strangers watching you as you manage your child’s anger outbursts in the grocery store? Do you ever feel consumed by guilt, worry, or frustration related to raising your child? These challenges can feel debilitating, embarrassing even, but things can get better with the right kind of supports in place.

When we live a life of reflection, we open ourselves to the rich depths of life's possibilities. We move away from the needless suffering of unresolved pain. I help my clients examine the intricacies of their minds and relationships in a warm, supportive, nonjudgmental environment. I help them make sense of their lives and their histories to understand how they impact their current challenges. Together we build a refuge where strengths are discovered and life becomes more joyful. My training is psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, however, my style always depends on the needs of my clients and the relationship we create.

Are you wanting your relationship to get unstuck from a negative pattern of interaction? Are you and your partner feeling hopeless about your lost connection? When things like this happen it's easy for well-meaning friends to come to the rescue with ideas, but sometimes they just don't understand. Talking to a couples counselor can help. If you'd like to get started, give me a call.

Today you are one step closer to where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. I provide insight oriented, caring and compassionate client focused therapy. I specialize in Christian Spiritual Development, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, EMDR, Grief, Relationship Issues, and Parenting Skills As a solution-focused therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While I can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life.

Working with older children, adolescents, adults, and couples, I strive to help you understand how your early caregiving experiences are impacting your current wellbeing and interpersonal functioning. My goal is to create a secure relationship where you can feel understood and valued and better understand yourself through our work together. In working with young children and their caregivers, I hope to help parents understand how their own parenting impacts their identity as a caregiver as well as helping them understand their child’s needs and develop a deeper connection.

If you're concerned about your child, you've already taken a courageous step by looking here for help. Maybe you're feeling frightened, worried, or at your wit's end and unsure what to do. These emotions are a testament to how much you love your kid. Whether you're looking at child and family therapy as a preventative measure, or your family is in crisis, I can light a path and walk with you. Over the last 15 years working as a coach, teacher, counselor, and therapist, I've developed a knack for connecting with kids who are hard to reach.

Sometimes we reach a point in our lives where we recognize that the way we've been living is not supportive of the type of life we want to create. Be it struggling with depression, anxiety, life-transition, parenting, relationships, pregnancy, or postpartum, we all need extra support to change, grow, and heal. I help you release old patterns and work through uncomfortable emotions to create more space in your life. By developing a healthier relationship with yourself you will be able to create healthier relationships with others. Together we create resources and tools that will support you as you embody new patterns and choices.

Therapy is about finding the right fit with someone you trust. I recognize the importance of beginning where you are at through collaboration, empathy, and guided self-examination. If you are feeling stuck in your life or healing from old wounds, I will help you develop new coping skills, healthy boundaries, and turn insight into action. The most courageous moments provide the greatest growth. Collectively, we can add more tools to your toolbox. Through introspection, directive depth work, and a strong working relationship, I will listen to each important detail of your life story and build upon your strengths and abilities.